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Read. Follow. Verify.Alabama HB 18 creates joint custody presumptions for fathers who sign voluntary paternity acknowledgments
Last action · January 13, 2026: Pending Committee Action in House of OriginSponsor: Patrick Sellers
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What This Bill Would Do
Alabama HB 18 establishes legal presumptions favoring joint custody, shared decision-making, and equal physical custody for unmarried parents who sign a , effective October 1, 2026.
Parents who sign an acknowledgment of paternity gain legal presumptions for equal custody and decision-making rights in family court proceedings, provided they live within 40 miles of the child and no domestic violence exceptions apply.
- Under existing Alabama law, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by an unmarried mother and an alleged father establishes a legal finding of paternity and creates child support obligations. context
- The bill carries the short title 'The Good Dad Act' and was introduced during the 2026 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Acknowledged fathers
Fathers who execute a valid voluntary acknowledgment of paternity gain a rebuttable presumption for joint custody, shared physical custody, and equal rights for major decisions if they live within 40 miles of the child.
Unmarried mothers
Mothers are subject to rebuttable presumptions favoring joint physical custody and shared major decision-making when an acknowledgment of paternity exists and distance requirements are met.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal effect does signing a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity have under this bill?
Can a parent move out of the state with the child under this bill?
Are there exceptions to these custody presumptions?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Jan 13, 2026HouseCommitteePending Committee Action in House of Origin
- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedRead for the first time and referred to the House Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Establishment of Joint Custody Presumptions for Unmarried Parents
The bill links a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity directly to statutory presumptions favoring joint physical custody and equal decision-making authority.
Connected Entities
Sources
alison.legislature.state.al.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy40Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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